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Interview: Ma Yibo sets sights on the Beijing Olympics

After winning the powerful Argentine team 3:0 yesterday, the Chinese team fighting in the home field claimed another 3:0 victory over the South African team in their second match in the "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 International Hockey Tournament today. Ma Yibo, captain of the Chinese team, gave an interview to this reporter after the match:
Reporter: Please comment on the performance of the Chinese team.
Ma Yibo: We are all very happy about winning two matches in a row. However, in today's match, the whole course was not very satisfactory, because the tactics arranged by our coach before the match was not well completed.
Reporter: The coach frequently changed players during the match. Was it due to the hot weather?
Ma Yibo: Not exactly. Changing players was to give more people the chance to get exercise in the match, particularly when we took the lead.
Reporter: Did you take any skin protection measures before going to the field?
Ma Yibo: Yes, we applied some suntan lotion.
Reporter: I see that you have dyed your hair, very beautiful.
Ma Yibo: Haha, I had it dyed when I was on vacation at home.
Reporter: When do you think women hockey players are the most beautiful?
Ma Yibo: After a match when we are sweated all over!
Reporter: Do you like shopping in spare time?
Ma Yibo: Yes, but I seldom do shopping as we have only one day off on Sunday. We simply have no time for that even if we want to!
Reporter: How long have you been practicing hockey?
Ma Yibo: More than 10 years. I took up the sport in 1995.
Reporter: Have you ever thought of giving it up?
Ma Yibo: Yes, especially in the first few years. Most players in this sport suffer from knee or waist injuries. I tend to think of quitting when I suffer a relapse of my old injuries!
Reporter: What is the power that keeps you going?
Ma Yibo: Injuries are actually paper tigers. The more I think of them, the greater pain I feel. Later, I just stopped thinking of them!
Reporter: What attracts you in this sport?
Ma Yibo: The teamwork, the cohesive force of the team.
Reporter: What expectations do you have for the year of 2008?
Ma Yibo: It is very likely that the 2008 Olympic Games will be the last Olympics for me in my sports career. I hope we'll have a happy ending.
